Birsa Munda; remembering the charismatic tribal leader on his 142nd birth anniversary

India celebrated Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary on Wednesday 15^th November 2017. He born in November 1875 in Ulihatu village, currently in Jharkhand. He died on 3^rd March 1900 at very young age of 25 in the prison of Ranchi.

Birsa Munda mobilised the tribal groups against the Britisher’s and initiated several freedom movements. He also participated in various movements against the British government. He was a young tribal leader with charismatic abilities. He received his early education at Salga village under the supervision of Jaipal Nag. In order to join German Mission School, Birsa converted to Christianity on the advice of his teacher.

He belongs to Munda tribe of Chhotanagpur Plateau area. During the period of 1890, Birsa spent most of his time in chaibasa, close to Sardar agitation which brought great transformation to him. Later he became the face of anti-British government movements.

Though he died at very young age but left a huge impact over Britishers which forced them to implement various laws to protect the land rights of the indigenous communities. Along with the other young freedom fighter, he made his presence count in folk literature, academia, and mass media. On his 125^th birth anniversary in 2000 Jharkhand was liberated from Bihar.